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July 8, 2009

News

STAYCATION:
10 great vacations to have (in our own backyard)

It's summer! School's out, the snowbirds are long gone, and you finally have time to take a much-anticipated vacation. Time off? Heck, business is so slow you might not even be missed at work. And therein lies the problem: Due to the unforeseen economic circumstances of the entire country imploding, your vacation budget has shrunken from grande to poquito. Full Story

Bats vital to a healthy environment

"We fear what we don't understand." For some, this fear takes in dark, winged denizens of the night alleged to fly into our hair, land on our necks and suck our blood. The myths and folklore that have surrounded bats throughout time have seemingly endured, creating fear and even hatred for one of nature's most environmentally helpful creatures. Full Story

Friends of Lovers Key hosts new Nature Program Series

The Friends of Lovers Key Inc. presents a unique new series of seven firsttime events designed to enhance the public's understanding of the natural and recreational resources found at Lovers Key State Park. Pre-registration is required. Call 463-4588 to register. All events will take place at Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. Full Story

KOVELS: ANTIQUES & COLLECTING
Don't just settle for a bench or sofa

What's the difference between a settle, settee and sofa? All three evolved from the "bench," a furniture form with a flat wooden plank seat long enough to hold two or more people. A "settle" was in use by the 12th century. It was a bench with add-ons. One type had a low back and arms; another had a high back, often with wings instead of arms. Full Story

AREA FUNDRAISERS

Benefit for people and pets July 18 An all-out effort to collect non-perishable food and pet items on Saturday, July 18, by stores in Tanger Outlets, will benefit the Harry Chapin Food Bank. The Feed Our Families and Their Pets Food Drive will occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. All stores will be collecting food and pet food items for the food bank. Full Story

Saturday passport service offered locally on July 11

On Saturday, July 11, the Alva, Fort Myers and Naples Post Offices will host passport fairs: Alva Post Office, 17301 Broadway St., Alva, will offer service from 7-11 a.m. with no appointment required. Page Field Post Office, 2655 N. Airport Road, Fort Myers, will offer service from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with appointments required. Call 277-3352 to schedule an appointment. Full Story

Community Foundation awards initiative grant to fight hunger

Southwest Florida Community Foundation awarded $86,000 to United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades as fiscal sponsor of the Hunger Task Force of Southwest Florida through the community foundation's annual Initiative Grant. The grant will be used to support the Hunger Task Force's H.E.L.P. Initiative (Hunger Eradicated by Local Partnerships). Full Story

Informational meetings focus on life at Shell Point

Residents of Southwest Florida who would like to learn about resort-style retirement options and lifecare are invited to attend one of several informational meetings at Shell Point Retirement Community. One of Shell Point's experienced retirement counselors will explain the numerous benefits received when becoming a resident at Shell Point. Full Story

Local florist receives Florida Master Designer Certification

Mary Lou Mack of In Bloom Flowers & Gifts in Fort Myers was awarded the prestigious designation of Florida State Master Designer at the recent Florida State Florists' Association 88th Annual Convention held in St. Petersburg June 5-7. Full Story

Lee EMS makes it to prestigious competition finals in Orlando

Lee County Emergency Medical Services earned a spot in the prestigious final competition of emergency medical teams from around the world in finals being held in Orlando. The four-person team, along with coach Lt. Tom Pilsy, was one of five teams reaching the finals in the 26-year-old competition at the annual ClinCon clinical conference for emergency medical services. Full Story

This week on WGCU-TV

. WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 9 p.m., The Ascent of Money From ancient Mesopotamia to Renaissance Italy, Niall Ferguson explains the origins of money, credit and debt. Money, he shows, is not precious metal — it's a relationship between lender and borrower. Full Story

Snapshots of July 4: Fort Myers Beach fills up

The Gulf of Mexico finally appeared over the crest of the bridge. The line of traffic inched slowly down to Fort Myers Beach on the afternoon of July 4. North Fort Myers resident Mitch Oltean, a 69-year-old volunteer for the Lee County Sheriff's Office, helped direct the cars onto Estero Boulevard. Standing by the busy street at around 3 p.m. Full Story